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LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

The secret to being a good comic comes with this realization..." I have mined every ounce of comedic gold that I possibly can from this subject." Ladies, that time has come. I know I speak for the majority of Aidsmeds when I plead, "for the love of all that is holy."

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

“My eyes and ears are open to listen to each and every one of you, there is something that can be learned HERE and it can, may, or will HELP us as we continue to walk on our journey in this life”

Hi Boo…

No it is not. I just wanted to clarify that I have no grudges or any spite against anyone here. Part of my purpose is to induce the cooperation from others by harmonizing any differences in the spirit of collective good will.

Hi Alex…

Laughter is GOOD for the soul within. It can cure many unknown “causes” of our emotions within us.

Hi ACinKC…

It is GOOD to hear from you as well as your interaction with infused humor as well. Don’t take it the wrong way, I love to get a GOOD laugh as it act as a consoling mechanism for our emotions. As for the mornings verse, there is so much that we can share with each other that will UPLIFT our spirits. I will take note to your suggestion and make this a part of my relating to you. A preacher? No. Just an ordinary man with a conviction to reach out and HELP others as they continue to walk on their journey in this life.

Hi Thunter34 (Tim)…

I am still awaiting for your interpretation to be posted within this thread. I DO admit that you ARE on-point where it comes to the pit stops and videos for the viewing.

Hi Emeraldize…

You are SPOT ON! Quote: “Thank you Tim for your unending bountiful resources and your willingness to share them with all of us.” Truly, truly, truly, this will carry each and everyone of us even further as we continue to walk on our journey in this life.

Hi Dad1216…

It is GOOD to hear from you and it is GOOD to have you interact with us and share your also valued input as well. As I address another one of your statements; however, it goes back to “choice”. If you feel this way about this kind of company in your house, then by all means you have that right to feel this way. In my house, happiness is always welcomed. In fact, it could be the very day when I need it the most.

Hey Tim…

Thank you for your clarification that was made to Dad1216. In-the-know.

Hey ACinKC…

I admire your sense of humor.

Hey RapidRod…

There is NO chemical substance involved here to alter the state-of-mind. Its good natural healthy thinking.

Hey ACinKC…

You are right, there is a reason that we all are here and are in this together.

Hey Tim…

You are right, it is another revelation. There is a reason that we are all here on this site.

Hey ACinKC…

You definitely have an admirable creative talent with your sense-of-humor. Just think if you were to focus on that hidden talent and magnify it 300%. I sense if you do that, move over George Castanza there is a new kid on the block! LOL!

Hey Tim…

Once again…You are SPOT ON. It is not. It is a very good clean example of AC’s hidden inner creative talent that is just awaiting to take it to a different level in this life!

My Dear Fellow Members…

Again, as I have shared with Boo; “Part of my purpose here is to induce the cooperation from others by harmonizing any differences in the spirit of collective good will.” This has nothing to do with your chosen religious beliefs. This has everything to do with joining together as a group to support each other and to share with one another.

Now, back to the question: “There is a reason for each and every one of us to have joined this site”. I have shared my reasons with you as a group, and I ask that you share your reasons as well. It can, may, or will HELP each and every one of us to support one another even more for our cause with HIV/AIDS.

Anticipation can be positive or a negative experience. We can look forward to something knowing that feelings of anxiety and nervousness are to be expected but the upcoming experience could be something wonderful and life changing. Or, we can look ahead with fear and dread which may lead to avoidance and as a result a missed opportunity.

Based on what you researched and put up here from previous threads, I think what you are attempting to do is build upon some foundations that were laid before. Other threads have asked, “What brought you here?” and variations of, “who and what inspires you here?”

You are now asking of us: “Now that you are here…why?"

As in:

1. What do you desire to get from being a part of the AM family?

2. What do you think you can provide as a part of the AM family?

Or: How do you think being a part of AM benefits you on a personal level, and how do you think your presence here can benefit others?

Am I close? Do I get to keep my Jazz Hands? (No matter…I fully intend to keep them anyway! If only for my efforts! LOL )

I think it may still be too early for me on here to properly answer those questions for myself. I do hope to gain more education about this rotten virus. I hope to get the reassurance (oops…there’s that word!) of a support network, even if only “virtually”. I hope to get a good dose of laughter, too. Because I want to remind myself that happiness doesn’t have to come to an end with a positive diagnosis. In between blood draws and opportunistic infections, rises in viral loads, and falling of CD4’s and even bank accounts, there can still be occasions for comraderie, belly laughs and maybe even a touch of flirtation and sexiness now and then. All that taken together brings me hope.

Wait. There you go…my answer: I desire to get further hope from being here. And I desire to help provide it, too.

I just came back from my intermission outside with the clear skies and I saw your post. YOU ARE SPOT ON!!! Yes! You ARE on the same page of the book, the same chapter of the book, the same paragraph of the book, the same sentence of the book, and even the same word of the book. Indeed you are very talented and I DO admire that that you have within YOU!

You DO get to keep your Jazz Hands. In fact, the guy in the pic is cute. LOL!

As for as your being here on the site, thank you for answering that question. A desire to get further hope and the desire to HELP provide it as well. With these characteristics, it WILL carry us a long way in this life.

Your participation with interaction is deeply appreciated as we ALL continue to walk on our journey in this life. It ALL makes sense, same people, same place, same cause, same road...what are WE going to do? This too shall be revealed.

Can YOU FEEL the ENERGY here? Yes, you can. It is ALL unfolding right before us!

When it hits page three, that is where you will want to be. Stay tuned to this channel. This effort is for the very benefit for ALL of us. If you have been following this, you will see more that is to be revealed as well. Also, you are HELPING and that is a GOOD thing just as well. When you HELP it manifests a lot of things in this life in more ways than one!

Oh Hal...

THANKS A MILLION for your interaction and your HELP too. It does not go unrecognized. You ARE a gentleman in your own heart and a scholar.

"Don't You Dare Give Up, Don't You Dare Give In...Because It Is ALL Within YOU to WIN!!!"

Let me CLARIFY and remind you that this topic has NOTHING to do with Sex, Porn, or your chosen religion. I ASK that you please refrain from posting with this sort of content as it has NOTHING to do with this topic. It is greatly appreciated.

This topic is about each and every one of us uniting together as a group in order to support each other, HELP each other, Encourage each other and to Share with each other with our same common cause...HIV/AIDS.

Same place, same people, same cause, and the same road that we are traveling on in this life.

Hey Marco23...

Deep down inside I have a conviction to HELP others and to make a difference in this life.

"Don't You Dare Give Up, Don't You Dare Give In...Because It Is ALL Within YOU to WIN!!!"

I am ALL for YOU and each and everyone. I hold NO inner feelings of guilt or resentment towards none. I accept your apology that has been given and I look forward to your interaction with us with the group.

We have ALL made it thus far this year of 2006. We have a lot to be grateful and thankful for. Let us ALL make the BEST of our Holiday Season "in spite of" and look forward to a "fresh" start for the new and coming year of 2007...while leaving the past behind us, because the past will never last, it will only hold us back from growing into who we are truly suppose to be.

Stay tuned to this channel.

Don't You Dare Give Up, Don't You Dare Give In...Because It Is ALL Within YOU to WIN!

I trust that each and every one of you enjoyed your Christmas with the ones that you LOVE.

Hey ACinKC:

Let us ALL have COMPASSION towards one another---for we are ALL living in this World together with HIV/AIDS. Still, the pressures of everyday life can make us forget that which is important unless we are ALL mindful of it.

Let us ALL join together with a united effort as a group and support each other, share with each other, learn from each other, and work closely together for our very same common cause of HIV/AIDS.

As Lisa has mentioned as confirmation to this statement: "If WE do not take care of US, then who else will?" Really, Who will?

I wish a very Happy Holiday to each and every one of you!

Don't You Dare Give Up, Don't You Dare Give In...Because It Is ALL Within YOU to WIN!

This is a reminder to ALL of us to recognize the path of our personal development within ourselves and at the stage upon that path where we find ourselves in order to energize our movement toward deeper self-realizations within us.

Through our deeper self-realizations, these realizations will bring more CLARITY to our lives and they will also give US a sense of direction in which we will continue to travel in on the path that we ALL are now currently on together in this life.

As these realizations take place you may want to keep notes of these realizations in your daily journal. As they are quite empowering to us as an individual and as a group. As it stands, we ALL have our "reasons" individually for being here on this site, and as a group and we are ALL here for the same cause of HIV/AIDS.

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

(Deleted as the post I replied to with this diatribe has actually disapeared from just above this, it stands quoted below in post # 133.)And yes Eldon I would welcome your dr on this forum, that is if she ...keeps it real, lol.

See, I hate when a thread has to get all complicated. Besides politics, religion is another one of those touchy subjects. I wouldn't consider the path I follow to be new agey since it has been here way before Christianity nor did I jump on the Charmed bandwagon. Even though I must give it props for atleast doing it's research before throwing things out there.

All I was saying in my previous post is that basically we pick what religion works for us. Um, Andy, did I hear you say you need some weed? You know you give good advice when you're sober maybe a joint might put you in a deeper mood....

My personal testimony: About one month ago I had a very alarming dream. In my dream, I was attending my local church and my pastor approached me and shook his head as he told me with sympathy, “I’m sorry, but you have HIV and that is why your hair is falling out.” The ironic thing was I was losing some hair in the back of my head in real life. So when I woke up the next morning, I was very afraid. I immediately scheduled an appointment for a free HIV test at the health clinic. My appointment was set for a week from the day I called, meaning I had a whole week to think about the situation. All kinds of things ran through my mind. I finally decided after prayer and reading my bible that I needed to fast.

My thoughts were that I would fast for a positive or negative outcome. I was fasting and praying. For if I received a HIV negative result, I was thanking GOD for covering me all those years in spite of my irresponsible sexual practices OR if I received a HIV positive result, I was fasting for strength and I decided that a positive result would mean the fight against AIDS would be my calling in life. That is, I should devote all my efforts to helping those who have HIV and to preventing the spread of HIV.

Walking into the clinic to get my results was a very tense moment. As I sat down, I said a short prayer, “Well, GOD this is it. Please strengthen me no matter what the result. HIV will not conquer me and if this is my calling, I will answer your call.

The nurse handed me a small sheet of paper and explained that the result was…negative. Whew, I thought, GOD has given me another chance. I thanked GOD, the nurse and left the health clinic.

Then, about a week later, I attended an AIDS awareness meeting at my church. The same pastor from my earlier dream challenged about 50 people who attended to step up and take action against AIDS. I left the meeting feeling motivated, but I had no idea of where to start.

The next night, dream number two occurred and this is why I created this webpage. For when I fasted and promised GOD that if I was HIV positive, I would fight against AIDS, I did not promise GOD that I would do anything if the result was HIV negative.

Who says that a diagnosis of HIV has to be a negative experience. GOD can speak to all of us. He can perform miracles and he can make all things work together for the good.

Will you accept the calling? Will you read GOD’s word to see how you can turn your situation into a positive situation? GOD does not want you to blame anyone, be mad at anyone, be depressed or be discouraged. You are not being punished. Although you have been dealt a lemon in life, why not make lemonade?

Inspirational Scriptures

PrayerScripture: James 5:14-16Message: If you are sick pray to the Lord for healing. Faith shall save the sick.

PurposeScripture: Romans 8:28-39Message: All things work together for good to them that love the Lord.

Helping OthersScripture: 2 Kings 7:3-10Message 1: In those days, leprosy was defined as a chronic infectious disease that attacked the skin, peripheral nerves and mucous membranes. It was characterized by multiple lesions accompanied by sensory loss that began in the extremities (toes, fingertips). In many advanced cases, gangrene set in, causing parts of the body to "die" and become deformed. Most victims were despised and kept in separate places (leper colonies, sanitariums). Lepers were shunned and to have leprosy was a shameful thing. Although, shunned by people, the lepers were not shunned by GOD. GOD used the lepers in this scripture to discover that the army had left their camp. Therefore, the people who were starving (a famine occurred) could get food from the abandoned camp. Message 2: Don’t be depressed in your situation and feel you are waiting to die. Move forward. Press on because you don’t know what GOD has for you or how your life can positively affect someone else’s life.

HealingScripture: Acts 5:12-16Message: Believe in the Lord GOD. Have faith that you can be healed. Never underestimate the power of faith.

Scripture: 2 Kings 8:7-11Message: The king asked GOD, “Will I recover from this illness?” Don’t be afraid to ask GOD questions, but be prepared for the answer. Resolve within yourself, that you will live for GOD no matter what the answer is. Your true request should be for GOD's will to be done in your life.

RepentScripture: Daniel 9:4-19Message: Realize that we are all sinners. We must repent to GOD and turn from our worldly ways. GOD grants us forgiveness. We must turn from our sins to GOD’s word. He will lead the way. GOD have mercy upon us.

Please keep in mind that my Doctor is not HIV positive. However, herself and the staff gives me advice on my health condition that will HELP me as I live in this life with HIV/AIDS. Please keep that in mind.

Hey Queen...

I AGREE with you 100%. WHY, does ones need to make a situation more complicated when it is not? Let the author of this handle the appropiate responses to the posts by the members.

Hey AW...

To whomever you may be, thank you for taking the time to share this as it can, may or will HELP us for our cause. I will respond with a further in depth reply as soon as I can get to this.

Hey Thomas...

I was busy interpreting your dream to HELP you out with understanding what can, may or will be going on emotionally in your life.

I DO have a comment to the post that was made above. I will get to that in a moment. There are also other threads on this forum as well and I also need to address them and see what I can do that can, may or will HELP the others. So please hold on and I will respond to this.

Remember: Everyone has the right to their Freedom of Speech thanks to our forefathers of this country who took everyone into consideration that we are ALL equal in this life. I see NO negativity in the above post by AW. If anything it is to HELP not to hurt the situation.

FIRST OF ALL, I believe that you have approached this the wrong way. There IS a WAY that you approach certain situations. I also see that you have made another post in this forum to another member's thread.

1. You joined this site with absolutely NO introduction of yourself.

2. You approached this the WRONG WAY as if it is some sort of Church Outreach effort that you are doing.

3. You are ALLOWING your inner anxiety to run away with Obsessive, scary thoughts and your actions.

4. Everyone has their own right to their chosen religion.

5. If you would have READ this entire thread, I have REPEATED myself over and over again that this does NOT have anything to do with an individual's choice of the religion.

6. Whether YOU realize it or not, your calling or your purpose from what you have described IS to make an effort to reach out and to HELP those whom have HIV/AIDS and to devote your efforts towards Awareness and Prevention in this life.

7. I have not doubt of your testimony, HOWEVER, again you have approached this the WRONG WAY.

This topic has NOTHING to do with an individual's choice of their religion.

8. Either you had a negative result from your HIV test or you are in denial about what the nurse told you.

9. It is GOOD that your church is involved in AIDS awareness and you all were asked to take on the challenge with HIV/AIDS. YOU yourself even had mentioned that YOU had NO IDEA where to start. WHEN you are in a situation like this, you ASK someone before making ANY moves that you are unsure of. This is WHY you are getting a response such as this. I will not minimize the situation here. I am going to speak the truth to you.

10. YOU CANNOT MAKE A BARGAIN WITH GOD!!! Either you choose to serve him according to his purpose or you do not. Period.

11. I do agree that HIV/AIDS does not have to be a negative experience at ALL. It is NOT gloom and doom here.

12. I am way ahead of you with making the Lemonade out of the Lemons. I stated that months ago earlier this year.

13. True enough the lepers were shunned by the people as it does relate to the HIV/AIDS Stigma in this World.

14. I DO agree with NOT being Depressed about this Medical condition. However,

15. You came to the site and made (2) two separate posts. In this post and in my colleague member's post. In fact, my colleague Thomas found the situation quite tempermental because you addressed this the WRONG WAY.

16. You provided your email address and your link to your website. This is CLEARLY an outreach effort on your part.

17. A WORD OF ADVICE for your future outreach effort.....You must get to know the (5) five W's...Who, What, When. Where. How, and WHY.

18. If you do not know then ASK somebody who is knowledgeable in this area.

I am quite disturbed as to HOW you approached this. After you read this, sit back and think about your actions out of being Zealous for the effort.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to HELP and to reach out to others in order to lend them a HELPING hand in this life. However, coming to the site and dropping scripture from the get go was not appropriate at ALL.

My suggestion to you would be to sit down with the group and address a plan of action in order to reach out to others in order to HELP them.

Once again, for the *** time...This topic does NOT have ANYTHING to do with religion whatsoever. Please, refrain from posting ANY religious content in this thread.

Thank you.

Now, to the AM group, we are ALL here for a reason. Until we are ALL on the same page, for the same cause, with the same effort, it does not make any sense to reveal what that reason is until we do so.

Let us ALL joining together and work together in unity for the common good of HIV/AIDS.

While I tend to not agree with alot of what Eldon has to say about things, I would just like to say you did a fantastic job of dealing with that issue. Keep on Keepin on my good man!!!

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LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

But as I read more and more Testaments according to Eldon (non religious testaments of course) I often find myself wondering, does he laugh? Belly laugh? what gets his laugh on?

Riddle me this Eldon, whats the funniest movie you have seen? And what comedians do you like?

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LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

"The world always makes the assumption that the exposure of an error is identical with the discovery of the truth - that error and truth are simply opposite. They are nothing of the sort. What the world turns to, when it has been cured of one error, is usually simply another error, and maybe one worse than the first one."

or in other words.... "imagine God as a bad comedian, and at once the world becomes explicable"

Thanks A Million. I will definitely Keep on keeping on! No doubt because it is ALL about US and for US! LOL!

BTW- I Do watch comedy...the FUNNIEST was Richard Pryor: "Were going to ride the train to Johannesburg with our arse hanging out the window" ! LOL!

Hey Joemutt...

How are you? It is good to hear your voice just as well as the others. I AM behind everyone 100% in this battle! There is also MORE in the coming weeks that will be agreed on just as well. Need to get everyone together on the same page first so that an understanding can take place. Makes sense right? Cool. I'm right there with ya.

Hey Timmy...

Indeed to Keep on with the battle that is to be won! With careful direction and insight....OMG!!! Yes, there is so much that is on the other side of the mountain that is waiting for ALL of US! I will get to that in time.

Now, Zena? How did you know? She is AWESOME! That's my girl. She is straight up and on point. A lot of things can be learned from her. once again, you are on point. Kudos.

Hey ACinKC...

You too are ON POINT with that picture above...a Level head on this Journey in this life is a MUST no excuses.

Hey Timmy...

The revelations do continue... they do not stop. it is our navigator on our course for our Journey in this life.

Hey ACinKC...

I did touch on a funny one above but, Eddie griffin in the movie Double Take was hilarious just as well with the cute little White Doggie. LOL!

Yes, free food at the functions AC. Good idea.

Hey Hal...

You know you are the most Inculcate person that I have met. You do have very good insight and points. You are sitting on a goldmine of wisdom, knowledge and creativity. By God Hal, What are YOU going to DO with it?

There are many reasons that we are ALL here together. If I were to share the entire list with you, it would be overwhelming to you. There is a lot that needs to be digested within each and every one of us. This is WHY it is all not shared at one given time.

There IS a continued list for "What IS The Reason For Us?". However, it is the end of the year of 2006... Let us learn to Forgive one another and show Compassion towards one another.

We ALL have experienced many different aspects in our lives since the beginning of the year. With some of these experiences, it was meant for us to Learn something from them as well as to live through them. We ALL made it through. We emerged still in tact with ourselves. We have even become stronger as individuals.

Remember: Pull out the "positives" and throw away the "negatives" as these very same "positives" WILL assist you in the coming New Year of 2007.

Thank you for taking your time out to listen as well as your feedback of your suggestions which have been noted.

It is New Years Eve. Go out with your friends or loved ones and let your hair down and ENJOY yourself.

Please DO drink responsibly and watch out for the others whom are irresponsible. Be SAFE and take care of YOU!

Uh, Eldon..... I know youre in Florida...... But new Years Eve is TOMORROW. Just an FYI.

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LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

The clock has now turned to 12:00AM EST and it is now a New Year of 2007 here and in certain parts of the World. We ALL made it through last year and we are ALL still here together. There are many Positive changes that are in store for ALL of US in this Year of 2007!

Let us HELP one another, show compassion towards one another, forgive one another, and to reach beyond our comfort zone levels and make a difference in this life where we can.

Last year in 2006 as I was reorganizing, I stumbled across this AMAZING writting. I'd like to share this with you ALL from the bottom of my heart and from the depths of my soul.

Dreams can come trueif you take the timeto think about what you want in this life...Get to know yourselfFind out who you areChoose your goals carefullyBe honest with yourselfDon't become preoccupied with yourselfOr think about yourself so muchThat you analyze every word and actionFind many interests and pursue themFind out what is important to youFind out what you are good atDon't be afraid to make mistakesWork hard to achieve successesWhen things are not going rightDon't give upFind courage inside yourself to remain strongGive yourself freedom to try out new things Don't be set in your ways that you can't growAlways act in an ethical wayLaugh and have a good time Form relationships with people you respectTreat others as you want them to treat youBe honest with people Accept the truthSpeak the truthOpen yourself up to loveDon't be afraid of loveRemain close to your familyTake part in the beauty of natureBe appreciative of all that you haveHELP those less fortunate than youTry to make other lives happyWork towards peace in the WorldCreate your own dreamsLive life to the fullest